Friday, January 13, 2006

Bologna and Twinkies®

What could be more all-American kid than this? A vegan bologna sandwich on multigrain oat bread with Vegenaise, some lightly steamed green beans, a kiwi fruit, and yes, that's right -- a vegan Twinkie!

Why did I do it? Last week at lunchtime shmoo's friend waved a packaged Hostess treat in front of him. "Have you tried Twinkies? Have you? Have you? They're soooo good!"

Shmoo looked up at me questioningly. "You haven't had one, but I can make you one," I said. Shmoo grinned and looked confidently back at his friend.

Looking at this lunch and comparing it to the veggie-filled lunch below, I see the two extremes of my vegan kid cooking side-by-side. On the one hand, I want him to eat the healthiest diet possible; on the other hand, I want him to feel that veganism doesn't mean deprivation or missing out on things that other kids are enjoying.

Verdict: Little shmoo packed his fluff-filled confection in what he has now dubbed "Mr. Twinkie Brain". He ate everything but the sandwich crust. 4 stars.

Cruse those dreaded bread crusts!!!! LOL! Even looking at this lunch is still better than most of the lunches either being served in cafeterias or being brought from home. I'd take this over a lunchable any day!

Ok, you're amazing. I wouldn't have tolerated that comment at all, and even though these twinkies aren't exactly "healthy" you have my utmost admiration and respect! Wow! You're the coolest mom and little shmoo is so lucky.

Wow first fauxtess cupcakes in Vegan with a Vengance. Now twinkies??? Hostess has nothing on the vegans now. :) By the way I have been obsessed about this blog for a good three months now. Thank you so much!

We're not vegan -- just plain old vegetarian. But this stuff looks great! And my kid is only two, but he loves to dip, etc. I'm going to start trying some of this stuff.. The hard part will be going out to find stuff like kelp granules. But I'm willing to give it a try, especially because I miss fish every now and again too.

I can relate to what you mean by not wanting him to think that veganism means deprivation. I think that is why I bake or fry donuts once in a while. I will definitely have to try these, after I find this pan thing.

It looks like a Toy Story twinkie holder. The lunchbox is fabulous and even though the fake meats are not appealing to me personally, I love your involvement, care and concern that Shmoo can also eat like his friends, although so much better. Did you explain to him the difference in Ryan's twinkie?

Yes, "Mr. Twinkie Brain" came in the baking set. You slide the cake inside and cover it with the cowboy hat. Shmoo was thrilled!

Hi, leslie -- I'm with you, veggie meats aren't really my thing, either. But Little shmoo really enjoys them, so I get them just for him. In fact, once he asked me why all meat can't be veggie meat so no animals would be killed. Good idea!

And yes, he knows the difference between his Twinkie and the storebought variety -- that his are animal-friendly and all-natural and, well, actually taste good!

I'm saving my credit card bonus points till I can afford the Lunch Date! I discovered that BettyCrocker.com has a cream canoe pan that comes with decorating supplies (presumably for injecting cream)...and, if you want your own Mr. Twinkie(TM) Brain, or a case for your PPK Fauxstess Cupcakes, check out www.twinkieshop.com (yes, they sell the Twinkie the Kid container...no, they don't seem to have the baking set).Thanks!

definitely amazing. that would be awesome to be able to try that Twinkie recipe out! the only thing I don't know if I could get would be the barley malt powder, and of course the special twinkie pan. this is without a doubt in the list of my favorite Vegan Lunch Box lunches!

I went vegan when I was 13 and now my mommy often makes me Tofurky-and-Vegenaise sandwiches, but she doesn't seem to get any vegetables in me, unlike you for Schmoo! Really, though -- you epitomize pleasant balance. Mainstreaming veganism is one of the things that will truly make the world a better place, and you're doing it in the best way.

I really admire you. I was a picky eater as a kid but, growing up in a family of omnivores, was never pushed to eat vegetables and instead spent my formative years eating mostly pasta and chicken. I'm making the switch to vegetarianism now but that inherent pickiness still sticks with me. It's so great to read about how your kid is so psyched to eat veggies--and how you encourage him to be healthy. Congrats to you for not only daring to be vegan, but for giving your kid the impetus to lead a healthy lifestyle by starting him off right.

-Jane (not that you know me, but that's okay :) )

(I found you from Isa Chandra's livejournal [livejournal.com/~isachandra], and I'll be sure to visit frequently!)

Hi, just dropping by to say that I got the Twinkie kit and tried your recipe, and it turned out wonderfully! Thank you!

Two notes:1. The pan really is nonstick. I sprayed baking spray on the first batch and they got too brown. The second batch, with no spray, turned out pretty.2. I stubbornly had to try the Twinkie icing injector. You are right, it is a piece of junk. I should have trusted you!

Thanks again for the recipe. We had these when friends came over and everyone loved them. What a great idea!